UFC 205 adds Weidman – Romero & Edgar – Stephens

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman put in a lot of work on the front line of getting MMA legalized in New York. As it should be, officially Weidman is now part of the first UFC in the Big Apple and will be facing Yoel Romero.

Weidman the number 2 ranked Middleweight contender, will be looking to rebound from losing his title to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194. Weidman was granted a rematch at UFC 199, but due to injury, was forced to withdraw from the fight. As like with many mixed martial arts fighters, Weidman transitioned to the sports following his days amateur wrestling days. The Serra-Longo Fight Team product has 9 finishes with 6 knock outs.

American Top Team Yoel Romero is the number 4 ranked Middleweight contender, who’s a perfect 7-0 at 185 lbs. In the cage Romero has been a dynamic and controversial figure. Dynamic like with the flying knee that knocked out Clifford Staks, or the punches an elbows that put down Derek Brunson and Lyoto Machida. The controversial side has come from taking a lot of extra time on the stool between rounds, like in the Tim Kennedy; not to mention some strange post fight comments in the octagon. Also earlier this year following his split decision win over Ronaldo Souza, Romero was flagged by USADA and subsequently served a 6-month suspension for taking a supplement that had and unlisted banned entity in it.

Also it’s been announced that in the Featherweight division that number 2 ranked contender Frankie “The Answer” Edgar will take on number 7 ranked contender Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens. Edgar a former Lightweight champion, is 5-2 at 145 lbs., with finishes of BJ Penn (tko), Cub Swanson (sub), and Chad Mendes (ko); and is looking to rebound from a 2nd unanimous decision loss to Jose Aldo. Stephens is a heavy handed striker, who’s 5-3 in 8 fights at 145 lbs, 2-1 in his last 3; coming off a unanimous decision win over former Bantamweight champion Renan Barao.